Business Planning

Whether you are starting a business or planning to exit your business, The Law Office of Stephen D. Dunegan can help you develop and implement the appropriate plan.  Planning tools include:

  • Choice of Entity
  • General or Limited Partnerships
  • C or S Corporation
  • Limited Liability Company (LLC)
  • Operating Agreements
  • Buy-Sell Agreements
  • Corporate Minutes/Bylaws
  • Shareholder Agreements
  • ESOPs

Estate and Income Tax Planning

Estate tax and income tax planning must be accounted for during the estate planning process.   Although the current estate tax exemption levels are high ($5.49 MM in 2017), for those subject to it the tax is imposed at a flat 40% rate. There are many tools available to minimize the tax if needed.  Examples of planning tools we use include:

  • Discount planning with partnerships, LLCs and corporations
  • Sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs)
  • Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT)
  • Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT)
  • Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILITs)
  • Crummey Trusts to maximize use of the annual gift tax exclusion
  • The Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)
  • The Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
  • Private Family Foundation
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Family Limited Partnership (FLP)

Charitable Planning

Mr. Dunegan has been extensively involved in establishing non-profit charitable organizations over the years, from pet shelters to evangelical ministries. He also works with his clients who are charitably inclined to develop tax-efficient gifting strategies that will allow them to “leave a legacy” that will live on long after them. Such planning can also provide younger family members with a sense of responsibility and stewardship of family wealth.  Examples of charitable planning include:

  • The Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)
  • The Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
  • Private Family Foundation
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)

Contact Us

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